Pages

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

"The dachshund’s affectionate,
He wants to wed with you:
Lie down to sleep,
And he’s in bed with you.
Sit in a chair,
He’s there.
Depart,
You break his heart." (E.B. White, "Fashions in Dogs")

Did you know that E.B. White, the author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, was a dachshund person? He first became aquainted with doxies because his wife, Katharine, was a great dachshund fancier. The Whites are pictured below with their dachshund, Minnie. Minnie is also pictured helping E.B. White write in the photo above. The Whites owned several dachshunds over the years, including Daisy, Minnie, Augie, and Fred.

He definitely understood a dachshund's nature: “I like to read books on dog training. Being the owner of dachshunds, to
me a book on dog discipline becomes a volume of inspired humor. Every
sentence is a riot.”

E.B. White often wrote about his special dachshund, Fred:

"Fred was a window gazer and bird watcher, particularly during his later
years...I think of him as he used to look on our bed in Maine- an old
four-poster, too high from the floor for him to reach unassisted... Once up, he
settled into his pose of bird watching, propped luxuriously against a pillow, as
close as he could get to the window, his soft brown eyes alight with expectation
and scientific knowledge. He seemed never to tire of his work...and managed to
give the impression that he was a secret agent of the Department of
Justice...When he sighted a squirrel, Fred would straighten up from his pillow,
tense his frame, and then, in a moment or two, begin to tremble."

I have always loved dachshunds, and was delighted to learn that one of my favorite children's authors shared this affection. Do you love doxies, or is there another dog breed that has your heart? I would love to hear from you in the comments, below.

About Me

Trish is a long-time online seller who loves all things vintage, but especially vintage children's books and ephemera. In other lives, worked as a bookstore manager and preschool teacher. Always pursuing vintage treasures, great reads, interesting words, and happiness.